Chapter 15: Out of the Closet

Through the Eyes of Julia

"Julia, is something wrong?" Hwoarang said to me as I picked at my spaghetti. All I could think about was what Peter said to me. I felt like he was asking for my help and I didn't offer any. He's too scared to deal with any of this on his own. Was it another woman in his heart?

Or worse…

He said things were changing…could he have meant…a man? No, that would never happen. Peter's not like that, I know him too well. We spent all that time looking for King and we grew closer together. It's just hard to believe that it'd come to this…

You don't know him anymore…

Anything is possible…

He never loved you…

"Stop…" I muttered.

"Stop what?" I heard Hwoarang reply.

"Oh, nothing. I'm just thinking is all. This food is really delicious." I said delightfully, trying to change the subject.

"But…you've barely touched your plate…" Hwoarang said. I smirked inwardly, because I knew he was right. He may have been arrogant at times but that doesn't mean that he wasn't still able to have some brains.

"It's Peter…isn't it. You still love him…" he said. I looked up to him and smiled.

"It's nothing. I'm willing to give you the same chance I gave Peter. Just please don't ruin it, I don't think I can handle another break up." I said.

What the hell was I talking about? I was a smart girl, and a strong one at that. Another break up wouldn't hurt me one bit, it was just something that I was telling myself to get over Peter. When I said another break up, I meant another chance with Peter. I couldn't handle another break up, meaning me losing his friendship for good. So maybe I'd better not push it. I'd leave him alone and let him have his space. But eventually, we'd have to talk again.

He never ended the friendship…

With a sigh, I looked up and smiled at my new boyfriend.

"Come on Hwoarang, let's eat this stuff before it gets cold, okay?"

Through the Eyes of Jamie

I stood by Peter's door, waiting for him to arrive. I felt like I'd been waiting here forever, but truth be told, I was only there for at least five minutes. I couldn't stood thinking about the way I'd treated him earlier. I just listened to a pretty face and took out my suspicions on Peter.

"Jaime?" I heard a voice say. I turned to the right and saw him. He must've been outside, because he was all wet.

"Rain's a killer huh?" I said, trying to lighten the atmosphere.

"Oh? Oh you mean this." He said as he motioned towards his wet clothes. I could only nod in agreement. "It's not raining tonight." He said to me. I gave him a puzzled look and smiled.

"So…why are you…?"

"Long story and too little time to tell." He said as he began unlocking his door. I stood my ground, not budging from his door one bit. I knew Peter, and I knew he'd try to avoid the subject.

"You know, Jaime…" he began. I wouldn't let him continue though.

"I'm sorry…" I said abruptly. Peter stepped away from the door and looked at me as if in shock. Then, he looked around, making sure no one was in sight. He stepped forward and motioned for me to follow him. I stepped out of the way of his door and allowed him to get in. As he unlocked the door, I looked at his features. So sullen…so sad. The worst part of all of it was that he wasn't trying to look sad, he was just naturally this way.

Opening the door, he motioned for me to go on ahead and into the room. I did so, and quickly, for I wanted to get this over with. I kept it in mind to be really sensitive to Peter's needs. After all, he was my friend.

"Is it okay if I sit?" I asked as I motioned towards the chairs in the mini kitchen.

"Sure, you didn't have to ask." Peter replied, making his way to the chair across from me. Once he sat, we looked into each other's eyes. This may sound like some cheesy stuff, but it felt like we were sizing each other up, seeing how much of a threat we were to each other.

"So…" I said, finally breaking the silence. Peter looked down at the table and folded his arms over one another.

"I'm sorry if you thought I was hitting on Mina, I really just meant to get some advice…" he said to me.

"I totally understand that bro. I was just pissed because of what that girl Sylvia told me." I said.

"What exactly did she tell you?" he asked me. I rolled my eyes and laughed slightly.

"I don't know why I believed her…but she told me that she saw the two of you making out in the hallway…and when I walked in, things didn't exactly help the situation…" I said, hoping not to offend him.

"I understand that. If I were you and a beautiful girl told me that, I might just have to believe her too." Peter ran his right hand through his hair as he said that. I looked up at his unique hair style and I just had to ask.

"Bro…what made you dye the top of your hair white?" I said, in a joking kind of manner.

He touched his gelled hair and smiled. "I don't really know…it's something that my father liked to do when I came home, as a joke. You see, he would take shaving cream and put it on my head when I was little. Since he's not around anymore, I think it kind of reminds me of him. It's dumb, I know."

I gave him a questioning look as I said, "Nah man, it's not dumb. It's deep."

"Hmm, it's funny that you say that. Everybody but King seems to think I'm two dimensional." He replied.

"See, that's gotta stop bro." I said in a firm tone.

"What's gotta stop?"

"You always put yourself down man. You've got people who care about you here, and I'm one of them. You're like the little brother I never had. I mean c'mon, if you weren't around, who else would I be teaching how to skate?" I said comically. That earned a chuckle from Peter. I smiled as I stood up and offered him my hand.

Looking at it for a second, Peter seemed to be considering something. Then with slight hesitation, he took it and we did a brief 'man hug'.

"Thanks Jaime." He said as he pulled away. I smiled and replied, "No problem, it's what I'm here for!"

"To tell you the truth…I've always admired you and Mina. You guys have it so good, and you are truly a great friend Jaime…thanks again. I hope one day, I can return the favor." Peter said.

Through the Eyes of Peter

"I'll see you later Jaime." I said as he left the room. Once I closed the door, I walked over to my bed and laid down on it. All I could think about was Sylvia. For some reason, I still felt connected to her in a way, despite all that she put me through. I remember the first time we fought. She was angry and I tried to help, but she just took her anger out on me…

"I can't BELIEVE this!" she yelled as I walked over to her.

"Everything okay Sylvia?" I asked.

"Oh, screw you Peter! You're the LAST person I wanted to see right now." She replied.

Trying not to appear offended, I looked at her and asked her what she was so angry about.

"You know what Peter? I don't see where you get off!"

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"You think you're all fancy and junk just because you made it into the King of Iron Fist Tournament 3, huh? Well, news flash! I'm a much better fighter than you'll ever be!" she yelled.

"Well…I'm sorry, I never meant to be chosen. Maybe you should've tried harder to be noticed." I said a little harshly as I turned around and began to walk away. I felt her hand grab onto my wrist, spinning me back around to face her.

"What did you just say?" she asked in a calm, yet angry tone.

Finally standing up for myself, I replied, "You heard me."

"Alright Mr. Big Shot Fighter, let's see who really is the better of the two." She said as she let go of me and dropped into her stance. As she stood still, I noticed how beautiful she looked when in her fighting state. So deadly, yet so fragile.

"I don't want to fight a girl." I said.

"What's the matter? Not good enough for you? You know, there are girls in the Iron Fist Tournament so what are you gonna do when you have to face them, huh? Run away and cry to your mommy?" she told me.

That did it.

"Fine then." I said as I assumed my stance as well. A few of our friends came by and begged for us to calm down, but she already crossed the line.

Surprising me, she launched her leg into my face. I stumbled backwards, only to see her come at me again with open palm attacks. After she hit me in the stomach, she hit me in the face again and spun around with a kick to my crotch.

"Oh!" I yelled as I stood away from her. I looked up to see her back in her stance, smiling at me wickedly.

'My turn' I thought as I moved forward to attack. Jumping up in the air, I kicked with one leg first, then the other. She blocked both kicks, but was unable to avoid me hitting her in the stomach with another one. Spinning around, I attempted a sweep kick, but she just jumped over it and landed on my hip. I yelled out in pain as she performed a back flip to get off of me.

Standing up, I spun around and thrust both fists into her chest; then I kicked her in the shin. As if she didn't feel the pain, she immediately grabbed hold of my face and blew a kiss at it. I was stunned when she let go at spun around, kicking me across the face rudely. Once I hit the floor, I contemplated getting back up. But I liked her, and I wanted her to be happy. So I faked defeat and pretended to pass out.

"I told you I was the better fighter…"

told you I was the better fighter…

you I was the better fighter…

I was the better fighter…

Was the better fighter…

The better fighter…

Better fighter…

Fighter…

Her words echoed through my mind one word at a time until I realized that she was truly a spirited fighter. But I had let her win, didn't I? Heh, what about that time when she actually tried to be nice to me…

I sat alone at the lunch table, wondering when my friend Tiffanie was going to show up. Suddenly, Sylvia appeared and said something to me.

"Tiff's absent today." She said. I frowned and nodded.

…

"But since you look so pathetic by yourself, I'll sit with you until the period is over." She said, sitting down across from me.

Once she sat down, she glared into my eyes with hers, a small but devious smile forming on her lips.

"Oh what do you want? Are you going to prank me again?" I asked in a sad voice.

"Wow, you even SOUND pathetic today. I'll make sure Tiffanie is never absent again." She said as she leaned back against the chair and crossed her legs.

"Can I ask you a question?" I said.

"Ask away Petey boy." She replied, folding her hands up behind her head.

"Why are you always so mean to me?" I said in a sheepish manner.

"Hmm…" she thought to herself while placing her right index finger on her lower lip.

"Don't know! But it's sure as hell fun!" she replied cheerfully.

I looked down, secretly beginning to get disgusted. I was unwrapping a peanut butter and jelly sandwich when I suddenly put it back down on the napkin. Sylvia looked down at it and smirked at me.

"You gonna eat that?" she asked.

"Well…I was actually going to feed it to the birds or something." I said, not wanting to set myself up for another dis.

"No need, hungry Asian right here!" she said happily as she took it and began to unwrap it.

I couldn't help it, I had to laugh.

"What's so funny?" she asked as she finished swallowing her first bite.

"Did you do something to this sandwich! Cuz if you did, oh there's gonna be hell to pay!"

"Not if I poisoned it…" I said, grinning at her.

Sylvia stopped chewing and looked at me wide-eyed.

…

"It was just a joke, Sylvia. Jeez I would think for someone who's so professional at dissing, you would know a joke when you heard one." I said with a smile on my face.

Sylvia rolled her eyes and continued to eat her food.

"Got something to drink in that treasure chest of yours?" she asked.

I reached inside and pulled out a Peach Snapple, tossing it to her like I would an animal. With expert skill, she caught it and popped it open.

"You know," she began as she took a sip, "you're not as bad as everyone thinks you are."

"Everyone? Or just you?" I said with a smile that offered challenge.

She stopped drinking and rolled her eyes again, taking another sip afterwards.

"…thanks…" I said.

Once she stopped drinking she looked up and said, "For what?"

"I know that wasn't easy for you to say…but you did it anyways." I replied.

She chugged down the rest of the Snapple before saying, "Don't take it to heart. I'm only being nice because there's no one around to impress." With that, she offered a cute wink.

"Oh well in THAT case...you're not as bad as everyone thinks you are either." I said.

"People are talking beef about me? Dish out them names kid!" She said while slamming her fists into the table. I laughed quietly while looking at her.

"I'm serious! Them people better watch their backs before I break 'em!" she said.

"Don't worry, I think they know better."

Suddenly the bell rang and I looked at the clock.

"Well…" I said, not knowing what else to say to suffice for a goodbye. Sylvia stood up and took my trash for me, throwing it out in the can behind her. Turning back to me, she tossed her hair over her shoulder and smiled.

"See ya!" she said as she walked away and towards her class.

I snapped back to reality when I heard the door being unlocked. It was King…and I was finally ready to tell him my secret.

"Hey Pete!" King said happily as he tossed his keys on the counter and walked over to his bed. Once he sat down, I sat up and watched as he pulled off his shoes and began to massage his feet.

"Man, all that walking really hurts!" he said.

"I'm ready…" I interrupted.

King stopped everything he was doing and looked up to me with a puzzled look.

"Ready…for what?" he asked.

"I'm ready to tell you what's been bothering me lately…my secret…"